Thursday, 1 May 2014

It's Not my Birthday But.....

It felt like my birthday today in all the good ways. It was a lovely day full of wonderful things without my actually turning 47, which will indeed happen in a month's time. To begin with, it was a beautiful summery day. My mum phoned in the morning to invite me to join her and dad for lunch at our favourite little cafe. I have a lovely relationship with my parents and we enjoy regular time together chatting and eating and drinking coffee or wine. No wine with lunch today, it was coffee. The little cafe we go to offers gluten free bagels so I can safely have lunch there, the ambiance is lovely, the clientele happy and the service relaxed but excellent. One member of staff is a young woman who is always a delight. I believe she has Down's Syndrome in a mild form and she is cheerful, chatty, always makes jokes and is obviously happy with her job. She will visit you at your table and joke about hoping you left something on your plate for her. She is utterly adorable and an encounter with her feels like time spent in the sunshine.

If you know me, you know that an outing, no matter how casual, is usually an opportunity to wear one of my latest skirts or dresses found at the thrift shop and today was no exception. I have a new to me dress in my favourite colour, purple. I know, I know, you are thinking, but Shawna the colour you always wear is teal or some shade of blue so I would think that is your favourite. Or maybe red because of your red bags and that special red coat you have. I do love those colours very much but my favourite colour above all others is purple, any shade of it, and you know, I happen to think purple looks fantastic with both teal or red. In my fantasies I would have a dress with velvet and silk in a paisley pattern and of course it would be purple. I am heavily but happily afflicted with a purple paisley passion. This dress, in mauve crinkle cotton, is nearly as good though. And I happened to have the perfect fringed scarf to use as a belt.

This dress is possibly the best $5 I've ever spent. I did drop some larger sums today though and I am equally as excited about those and dying to share.

It's a bit crazy to purchase a warm hoodie as we approach summer but my beloved colourful hoodie is getting a bit ratty and while I will still wear it, I wanted a more upscale one. I popped into the shop that carries them, and scooped one up with glee. The colours are a bit darker but still very me and it even looks good with this dress so I know I have a winner of an autumn outfit here.

And then there are the shoes. Not only did I find some red shoes, I found the best red shoes ever in the history of woman kind. The shoes have inspired a new pose which might be called 'Wow look at these amazing shoes' but might equally as well be called 'Oh good lord I've gotta pee!'

Sophie was happy today too, and after playing in her box she gave my new shoes her sniff of approval.

Sophie is such a busy girl it is not easy to catch photos of her that don't end up blurry. Fortunately for you, dear readers, that means I actually don't post pictures of her as often as I might wish to because so many don't turn out.

We can't have too many pictures of the amazing shoes so here is a close up so you can appreciate the details. The make is Rieker which I have never worn before but I have to say they are amazingly comfortable.

I'm linking up to Second Hand First at The citizen Rosebud. While the red shoes and hoodie are not second hand, the dress and the brown shoes are.

Awww! How happy it makes me to read that you are happy! What a wonderful day filled with good stuff! Your parents sound like total sweeties. I too have amazing relationship with my folk. (Those are so unique!)

I love the photo of you in this dress! And it made a great new profile photo too. You look soo lovely, pretty, happy with yourself!! Such a delicate color, and it really suits you, Shawna!

Very cool red shoes you've got! I have a pair (or maybe two) of Rieker, and they are indeed very comfortable and stylish brand. I enjoy vintage inspired shoes a lot. Congratulations my dear with such a splendid day!!! Here is to many more to come!

I am usually very happy when I bounce back a bit after a bit of a relapse. The trick now is to not over do things. My parents are total sweeties indeed! I am very lucky. In the shoe store a women who was also shopping told me she really likes this brand as well. I'm glad I've discovered it!xo

I heartily approve of your purchase! I've seen Rieker shoes before and was very tempted by them. They do look so comfortable, and the ones you got are beautiful and flattering. Don't let the angels get near them or you'll never get them back!

The charity shops were definitely smiling on you! You look so confident and gorgeous in that dress and the red shoes are stunning. Red and purple look utterly fantastic together, don't they? Like an explosion in a jewellery box.Sophie is so adorable you can post as many photos, blurry or not, as you like. xxx

Isnt it fun to come home with goodies. Sounds like you had an all around great day. Your mauve dress looks soft and comfy. At first I thought it had an ombre dye on it, but then I put my glasses on. :)

That shade of lilac/lavender is very pretty on you, Shawna, and I can tell you feel good in the dress, it shows in your face! The red shoes are perfect. How fortunate, to post about wanting some and then find a pair straightaway, that's like cosmic ordering! And they are Sophie-approved, so that's a relief.It sounds as though you had a really delightful day. How good to have your parents close by and to get on so well with them.I'm hoping that is Elvis Costello singing in the video which my iPad won't display (I'll check on the computer later) - I love him! xxx

We have one really good shoe store in town and I don't go in it much as they rarely have sales and I like everything in the store so I consider it too dangerous to go in. I decided to go in and just look at the red shoes-haha. I tried on a few and then fell in love.It is indeed Elvis!xo

What a wonderful day! This dress is such a great cut, color, and length on you. And you look radiant in your photos. (: I really really like the tousled bangs look!

Rieker! *cheers* I have a very similar pair in grey. Woo hoo on you finding a pair right after mentioning you want red shoes!

I did want to drop a note about the blogger awards you nominated me for. I totally read them and I'm really honored! I just haven't had my eyes open much so I haven't gotten a post crafted. I do want to, though, and thank you!

Thanks, Aya. I do seem to suit bangs, though they can get a bit hot in summer. As I am growing out my pixie I have reached a stage that looks a bit like a mushroom but some days are really good hair days. I'm aiming for shaggy layered bob with bangs. :-)

I have been reading your blog for longer than I've been commenting, which can make a person look a bit like a creepy stalker when they suddenly appear talking like they really know you-lol. But I really enjoy it and am thrilled that you are now visiting mine. :-)

As a lover of shoes, those red ones are gorgeous! I have a pair of Reikers that look like them in cream that I got at an op shop. And I own a couple of sweat jackets like yours!! Hope you had a nice time out with your parents.

Everyone tells me that Riekers are great so I suspect I am hooked for life now! I want some in a variety of colours and styles. I have told myself that I should get another pair of them when autumn comes. :-) Cream ones would be great. I would like something in a cream or very light brown so it is good for summer.

Hahah! I would love to see more photos of the kitty :-D The dress is wonderful indeed, and you got another colorful hoodie? How cool is that! Btw, thank you for the sweet comment on the blog. I feel like you'd be an awesome beer buddy and we could discuss lots of stuff too, my boyfriend said the same too. If you happen to come to Bulgaria someday, you're very much welcomed here! ^_^

That would be so cool, to go to Bulgaria. I could say to my friends here, oh yes I think I'll pop over to Bulgaria and drop in on my friend Keit! I will have to drink wine though as gluten makes me sick and beer has gluten. Of course I could drink vodka too! I would bring you one of those colourful hoodies. xo

I love your attitude. You can appreciate a pair of good shoes ,the company of your parents and a warm smile or a joke. you must know this is something rare! I do like the purple dress and of course your red shoes. Those colors go very goood together!

There is something quite magical about the perfect red shoe! it's only when you put them on and admire them and wonder how you lived without them - Sophie is gorgeous and your parents sound so lovely - I'm very fond of mine too, their 'domestics' are hilarious, we are thinking of hiring them out x x x

You know what ... I don't think I have a pair of red shoes ... amongst ALL my shoes. There could be a red espadrille ... but that doesn't really count ... does it!?!Must remedy that situation pronto!Your red shoes looks gorgeous ... and comfortable too ... which is a bonus ;0)xx

What a wonderful day you have! It´s gorgeus to be so close to the parents. My parents don´t live anymore so be happy about every second you can spend with them :)

I love this soft color on you. It fits perfect to the tone of your skin.. like the midi length and the shoes are so cute.. the color is wonderful.Your cat is funny... like my Yoshi.. he loves every kind of boxes! ;)

have a wonderful weekDana :)http://danalovesfashionandmusic.blogspot.de/

Thank you Dana, you are such a sweetheart. I promise I will be happy and love my parents every second that they are here. They only live a couple of blocks away from me so they are very much in my life and that is wonderful.

My cat is totally bonkers, but I love her. She mostly thinks she is a dog, perhaps because she was raised with a puppy. I hope you put some pictures of Yoshi on your blog!xo

am i late?you know what i see here? i see fun, lots of! :-)the purple dress is made for you - not only the color but also cut&material and it has that soft "boho-thing"! i´m a great fan of purple with red - lots of energy. and i have more red shoes than black ones.....what a luck with the new hoodie!xxxx

You are not late at all because you are always welcome. Yes, indeed lots of fun and the joy of being dressed totally as myself. As much as the terminology annoys me I am more boho than anything else in my style but I find it difficult to make boho work on my shape. I'm so thrilled when I find something that works.

Now that I have a wonderful pair of red shoes I definitely need more, but I also want green, blue, purple and perhaps yellow-lol. And then of course boots in those colours too.xo

Ooooh I love your purple!!!!!!!! It's gorgeous! I too, right now, am wearing a purple maxi dress but it's v bright!!! My husband was SO unimpressed when I pranced into the bedroom wearing it. He thought the colour was vile and so I told him it was tough and I was wearing it to the theatre (and then added big earrings!) X